Jantar Mantar: A significant monument of the history of astronomy & astronomical advancement
The capital city Jaipur, situated in the northern state of Rajasthan is an important tourist attraction of India. Being a part of the popular Golden Triangle tourist circuit of India, this heritage city draws several tourists from all over the globe.
With remarkable architecture, gaudy culture and robust history; Jaipur stands amongst the few charming cities of the world. The entire city is studded with buildings embracing shades of pink, thereby earning the name — Pink City of India.
The architecture of Jaipur makes an important constituent of its flourishing tourist industry. Heritage sites like the Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal sing the tales of glory of the mighty Rajput rulers.
Out of the many historical marvels, Jantar Mantar observatory which is also a UNESCO world heritage site is a prominent attraction of the city. This famous monument was built by Rajput ruler Sawai Jai Singh II for the purpose of astronomical observations.
Jantar Mantar is a collection of 19 instruments which serve different purposes in astronomical studies, including the largest sundial of the country, Samrat Yantra. The ruler was very much fascinated by the celestial bodies and thus constructed these instruments to record the astronomical positions with naked eye. This magnificent monument was built in the first half of 18th century by rajput ruler Sawai Jai Singh II and bears testimony to superior masonry skills and ranking intelligence of medieval people.
The instruments of the Jantar Mantar are made of marble and red sandstones can accurately predict the celestial constellations and locate exactly the time of the day by the shadow of the sun casted in the sundials. Quite impressive in their dimensions, the instruments are some of the largest ever built in their respective category.
Besides the instruments, the expansive Jantar Mantar complex also houses lush green gardens and showcases amalgamation of political, scientific and religious dimensions. The monument was even inspired by the great observatories of Persia, China and Central Asia.
During the lifetime of Jai Singh, the observatory was quite active with around 20 permanent astronomers and after his death it remained continuously in use till 19th century after which the site ceased to function as an astronomical observatory.
The Jantar Mantar observatory in Jaipur is the largest out of the five astronomical observatories, the others being situated at Varanasi, Ujjain, Delhi and Mathura respectively.
Tourist flock in great numbers every year to this heritage city to experience a sight of this outstanding monument. Jantar Mantar is a carefully preserved historic site owing to its outstanding universal value.
